Course details

Summary

Expand your musical technique and understanding within your choice of classical or jazz performance, composition, popular music or musicology at New Zealand’s largest tertiary music school.

Classical Performance major

Classical Performance majors can specialise in piano, historic keyboard, voice and all orchestral instruments.

You will be encouraged to extend your practical performance experience through participation in chamber music and other ensembles such as choir and orchestra, with opportunities to perform in public on a regular basis.

The School of Music has close connections to the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra (APO) and the Pettman National Junior Academy of Music (PNJA), creating mentoring and performance opportunities for our students.

Degree structure

What you'll be studying

In the first year you will develop essential musical skills, and start focused study in your instrument / voice. In the second year and beyond you will develop advanced techniques and skills in classical performance and broaden your knowledge of its historical and cultural underpinnings. You will also study other topics of interest to you, such as music education, conducting, contemporary music culture and advanced music industry studies. You will also take two General Education courses offered by other faculties from across the University to acquire a broader range of skills and understanding, and be exposed to cross-disciplinary research.

Where could this programme take you?

As a graduate you’ll have the skills and expertise to pursue a wide range of career opportunities in New Zealand and overseas. Building a career on stage is a common goal, but the music industry runs on more than performers and composers. There is a collection of people who keep the industry moving, such as writers, managers, producers and teachers.

Jobs related to this programme

• Arranger/composer
• Arts administrator/manager/director
• Conductor
• Music director
• Music journalist
• Performer
• Radio/television/digital media/recording producer
• Sound engineer

Further study options

• Bachelor of Music (Honours)
• Postgraduate Diploma in Music
• Master of Music
• Doctor of Music
• Doctor of Musical Arts
• Doctor of Philosophy

Entry criteria

Secondary school qualifications

You need to have one of the following:

International Baccalaureate Diploma with a minimum total score of 24.

General Certificate of Education (GCE) Advanced Level. You must have completed a minimum of three A-Level subjects with at least a 'C' grade or higher. General Studies or similar general papers cannot be included.

GCE ‘A’ Level requirements apply to ‘A’ Level qualifications examined by bodies such as AQA, OCR, Edexcel, WJEC, CCEA, Pearson Education Limited and CIE taken outside of New Zealand.

English language requirements:

IELTS 6.0; TOEFL (iBT) 80; TOEFL (paper-based) 550; CAE or CPE 169; PTE 50; MELAB 80.